Don't Forget to Share!

I believe baked goods are meant to be shared.  Why else would they bake up in such big batches?

This weekend, we were invited to a neighbor's potluck.  I had signed up to bring dessert but then in the business of the rest of the weekend, I didn't really prep ahead of time.

It wasn't until just a few hours before the event that I started making my dessert.  Many homemade desserts need to be made ahead to leave time for cooling and/or frosting.  But, I made my go-to dessert in no time.

I made brownies.  I know a lot of people make brownies from the box, but that's just crazy!  You can make homemade brownies in just as little time and they are far, far more delicious.  In fact, I hesitate to share the recipe with you, only because it's SO delicious and easy, you might be tempted to make it more often than is good for you.  I know I am!  This recipe is a simplified version of Ghiradelli's recipe.  Mmm.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

 3 squares (3oz.) of unsweetened chocolate
1 stick of butter
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp of vanilla
a dash of salt
1/2 cup of all purpose flour

In a saucepan on very low heat, melt 3 unsweetened chocolate squares, and one stick of butter and then turn off the heat.  Add 1 cup of sugar and 2 room temperature eggs.  (Be sure the chocolate mixture is not too hot and that the eggs are not too cold or you will scramble your eggs!  Yuck!)  Add 1 tsp of vanilla, and a dash of salt (a tiny, tiny pinch).  Make sure to mix together very well and then add 1/2 a cup of all purpose flour and only mix until combined for fudgy brownies or mix more thoroughly for cake like brownies.  Bake for 25 minutes.  (I like to set my timer for a little early the first few times I make a recipe to make sure I get the cook time just right.)

This recipe can be halved or doubled and it will still bake for the same amount of time.

Because it was a special occasion,   I also decorated them a bit.  I cut them into rounds, added frosting, and a little berry to top them off (you could also use chocolate chips.  I used the top of a tin can to cut the shapes as I didn't have a cookie cutter that was quite the right size.   For the frosting I combined 1 package of cream cheese,  1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar in my mixer over high heat.  Then I piped a small dollop over each brownie.  This is SO not necessary most of the time!  But,  it is fun!

Enjoy : )